Crankcase ventilator device



17, 1964 H. D. DAlGH ETAL 3,157,467

CRANKCASE VENTILATOR DEVICE Filed Aug. 12, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet l PdA/fld H 2472/6" INVENTORS.

' MWM Nov. 17, 1964 H. D. DAIGH ETAL 3,157,467

CRANKCASE VENTILATOR DEVICE Filed Aug. 12, 1965 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Baaaqqaa &\ q g iQm/ /k/ a;

ATTOP/VEV Nov. 17, 1964 H. D. DAIGH ETAL 3,157,467

CRANKCASE. VENTILATOR DEVICE Filed Aug. 12, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 6442040 a DA /6'// ZO/VQO A. p47'Z/6.

INVENTORS.

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ATTOP/VEV Nov. 17, 1964 H. D. DAIGH ETAL 3,157,467

CRANKCASE VENTILATOR DEVICE Filed Aug. 12, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 #42940 0 04/619 24/1/05 H PA 7Z/6 INVENTORS.

Maw/M ATTOP/VEV United States Patent 3,157,467 CRANKQASE VENTILATGR DEVICE Harold l). Daigh, Rolling Hills Estates, and Rondo H.

Patai Belliiower, Calif., assignors to Richfield Gil Corporation, Los Angeles, Cali, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 12, 1963, Ser. No. @1383 i9 (Cl. 123-119) This application is a continuation-in-part application of Serial No. 262,936, filed March 5, 1963, and now abandoned. The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine and, more particularly, relates to a crankcase ventilating system for an internal combustion engine wherein a flexible valve is positioned in a conduit adapted to recycle blowby from the crankcase to the induction system.

A valve device for controlling the recycle of crankcase blowoy into the induction system of an internal combustion engine is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,077,871, issued February 19, 1963, to Harold D. Daigh on a Crankcase Ventilating System for Internal Combustion Engines. The valve device described in this patent is adapted to open in response to crankcase pressure buildup and to close in response to intake manifold vacuum, thereby constricting the blowby conduit leading from the crankcase to the intake manifold to the passage of blowby when intake manifold vacuum is high, but opening the conduit at higher throttle settings when the crankcase blowby is sufficient to exert pressure on the tubular valve. In order for the aforesaid valve to function properly, it is desirable to keep the open ends of the conduit to which the tubular valve is connected, in substantially axial alignment so that the tubular valve can open and close, as described above.

In order for the aforesaid tubular valve to open properly, it is necessary to position the valve between the open conduit ends under a slight tension. Since a section of the tubular valve is preformed closed, the valve readily closes in response to intake manifold vacuum, notwithstanding the sli ht tensioning of the tubular valve.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a support device for holding in substantially axial alignment the open ends of a conduit adapted to pass blowby fumes from the crankcase to the induction system of an internal combustion engine through a tubular valve connecting said conduit open ends.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means for preventing crankcase explosions caused by the passage of combustible mixtures through the recycle conduit extending etween a crankcase recycle valve and an intake manifold.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a means for varying the tension on a tubular valve positioned between the open ends or" a conduit adapted to pass blowby fumes from the crankcase to the induction system of an internal combustion engine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means for maintaining tension at a predetermined setting on a flexible valve positioned between the open ends or" a conduit ada ted to pass blowby fumes from a crankcase to an induction system.

Other objects and a more complete understanding of our present invention may be had by reference to the following specification and theappended claims when taken in conjunction .with'the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows in partial section an internal combustion engine utilizing a flexible valve in the'conduit extending between the rocker arm and the induction manifold, with a support frame of our present invention utilized to position and tension the valve; 7

FIG. 2 shows in partial section an enlarged elevation showing a support frame device of our present invention in its preferred form with the tubular valve in closed position;

FIG. 3 shows in partial section an enlarged view of a support valve of our present invention with the recycle valve in open position;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view taken on section .4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows in partial section an enlarged View of a modified form of our present invention;

FIG. 6 shows in partial section an enlarged view of a further modification of the support means of our present invention;

FIG. 7 shows an enlarged view of another modification of our present invention wherein a one-way valve is incorporated in the valve support means;

FIG. 8 shows a protective cover over the recycle valve of FIG. 7;

H6. 9 illustrates an additional modification of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

The present invention involves an internal combustion engine having a conduit 16 provided externally between the crankcase 2d and the induction system manifold 28.

A valve 16 is positioned in a break in the conduit to control the recycle of blowby fluids from the crankcase to the induction system. The present invention involves means for supporting valve 18. For convenience, the conduit is shown as extending from the rocker arm cover, although the conduit could be connected to any portion of the en gine which is in communication with crankcase pressure.

Referring generally to the drawings, the tubular valve 1i described more fully in U.S. Patent No. 3,077,871, is positioned at the break between the ends 12 and 14 of the conduit 16 extending between the crankcase and the induction system of the internal combustion engine shown in FIG. 1. The support and tensioning frame of our present invention, in its preferred form, is shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and consists of a pair of support members 18 and 26 positioned on the conduit ends on either side of the conduit break and fastened to their respective conduit ends. Post members 22 and 24 extend between and connect the support members and provide a rigid connection between the support member and means to vary the distance therebetween in accordance with our present invention. Although two post members are shown, it is readily apparent that one post member would suiiice.

In order for the tubular valve 19 to function properly, it is desirable to have the conduit ends 12 and 14 held in substantial axial alignment. This may be accom plished preferably by aflixing the support members 18 and 20 to the conduit in any convenient manner, as, for example, by welding as shown in FIG. 2. or by using set screws as shown in FIG. 7, in which event the support frame may be removed from the conduit. The support member 2 is threadably engaged by the posts 22 and 2 and the ends 34- and 36 of the posts 22 and 24, respectively, are rotatably disposed within the support member 18 so that the distance between the conduit ends 12 and 14 may be varied by rotating the posts 22 and 24.

Increasing the distance between the conduit ends 12 and manifold, respectively, after which the tension of "the valve can be set as desired to give optimum operability. As the elastic characteristics of the material of the tubular valve 1% deteriorate, our invention makes it possible to change thedistance-between. theconduit ends and thereby maintain tension substantially constant on the tubular valve 10. Springs 56 and 58 are positioned around posts 22 and 24, respectively, between support members to maintain a constant tension on the valve as the flexible ,valve material relaxes with age. Thus, the tension set on thevalve lilby adjusting threaded posts 22 and 24 against the springs remains substantially at the predetermined valve over a longer period of time without adjustment.

When provision is made for the passage of a small quantity of blowby through the tubular valve at all times, such as with a valve having a small opening 3% at closed position (FIG. 4), it may be desirable to provide a line 82 from the air filter 84 to crankcase 26 and set valve 10 to impose a slight vacuum on the crankcase at all times to thus pull clean air from the clean side of the air filter into the crankcase. The provision for clean air in the crankcase is believed to reduce sludge formation in the crankcase.

In order to prevent backfire from carrying an explo- SlDIl into the crankcase, a one-way valve,isuch as swing check valve 86', is positioned in the recycle line between the valve liland the intake manifold. This one-Way valve may also be incorporated in the valve support frame.

as shown at 88 in FIG. 7.

FlG. 5 shows a modified form of our present inven- 'tion wherein a spring 48 is helically disposed around the tubular valve 10 to maintain a predetermined tension on the valve.

1 Another modification of our present invention is shown in FIG. 6 providing the posts 22' and 24 with shoulders 42 which bear against the support member 15 to prevent the support member 18 from moving longitudinally relative to the post members 22 and 24.

the support members, may be threaded into. any con venient crankcase pressure source such as the oil separator 66. The tension on the valve member '10 may be altered by pulling-the valve 10 further onto fitting 68 and holding the valve in the desired position with clamps 70 and '72. The conduit end 76 is aflixed to the intake -manifold with support bracket 74. e v j Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that" the scope of our invention is not to be limited by theqdetails set forth, but should be aflorded the full.

breadth of theappended claims.

. We'claim: a V

j 1. In a crankcase'ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an' opening in theengine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of ,said engine, saidopening being subject to the crankcase presflexible tubular valve means normally closed in response, to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said conduit .means into said induction system are operablyipositioned between said conduit ends, the

improvement comprising:

a frame apparatus for holding said conduit'means in V substantially; axial alignment, and means associated withsaid frame apparatus for subjecting saidtubular valve means to; tension.

V 2.1a acrankcase ventilating system forinternal com- 7 bustion engines'having an opening in the engine above 7f the Qil'l6$lln ih1'Q11gh}Wl1lCli blowby fluids can, escape the engine andjponduit means providingfluid communisure, said conduit means having a, discontinuity therein with'two open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein cation between said opening and the induction system of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a discontinuity. therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and

wherein flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluidsthrough said conduit means into said induction system are operably positioned betweensaid conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

a frame apparatus for holding said conduit means in substantially axial alignment, said frame member being mountable on said spaced apart conduit ends, and

means associated with said frame apparatus for sub jecting said tubular valve means to tension. 7

3. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opcning and the induction system of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a discontinuity therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and,

wherein flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted toopen in response to pressure buildup in said. crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said'conduit means into said induction system are operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

support means aflixed to said spaced apart conduit.

'ends, and a rigid post extending between said support means, 7 said-support means being adapted for receiving said post, at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, whereby the longi tudinal tension on said tubular valve may be varied.

4. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening, and the induction system, of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit Qrneans havinga discontinuity therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, and

means associated with saidpost for tensionin g' said.

tubular valve. 5. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion'engines having an opening in the engine above 7 the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between'saidopening and the induction system of said 1 engine, saidopening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a vdiscontinuityltherein' withtwo open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein flexible tubular valve means. normallyclosed in response to manifold vacuumand adapted'to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcaseto pass blowby'fluids through said conduit means into said induction system is operably' positioned between said conduit ends, the

improvement comprising:

J I ends,-

upport ineans aflixed to said spaced iapart conduit f l a rigid post extending between said support means,

said support means being adapted for receiving said post,

at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, and

spring means positioned between said support means for tensioning said tubular valve.

6. in a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a discontinuity therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum "and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said conduit means into said induction system is operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

support means aflixed to said spaced apart conduit ends,

a rigid post extending between said support means,

said support means being adapted for receiving said post,

at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post,

spring means positioned between said support means for tensioning said tubular valve, and

means for varying the compression on said spring means.

7. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a discontinuity therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said conduit means into said induction system is operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

support means aflixed to said spaced apart conduit ends,

a rigid post extending between said support means,

said support means being adapted for receiving said post,

at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, and

spring means positioned between said support means for tensioning said tubular valve, said post being threadably engaged with one of said support means whereby the amount of tension said spring exerts on said tubular valve may be limited and said limit varied.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 whereby said spring means are mounted around said post and extend between said support means.

9. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escapethe engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of, said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a discontinuityftherein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein flexibie tubular valve means normally closed inresponse to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said conduit means into said induction system is operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising: 7

support means affixed to said spaced apart conduit ends,

a rigid post extending between said support means,

said support means being adapted for receiving said post,

at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post,

spring means positioned between said support means for tensioning said tubular valve, and

stop means on said post to limit longitudinal movement of said support means relative to said post.

10. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pres sure, said conduit means having a discontinuity therein with two open'spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluid-s through said conduit means into said induction system is operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

support means alfixed to said spaced apart conduit ends,

a rigid post extending between said support means,

said support means being adapted for receiving "said P at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, spring means positioned between said support means for tensioning said tubular valve, and stop means on said post to limit longitudinal movement of said support means relative to said post, said post being fixed to one of said support means.

11. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal com bustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a discontinuity therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and wherein flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowbyfluids through said conduit means into said induction system is operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

support means aflixed to said spaced apart conduit ends,

a rigid post extending between said support means,

said support means being adapted for receiving said post,

at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, said post being threadably engaged with one of said supports and rotatable in 7 flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said conduit means into said induction system is v operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising:

ends, I

t a. rigid post extending between said support mean said support means being adapted for receiving said post, at least one of said support means being longitudinally movable on said post, said post atone end thereof being threadably engaged with one of said supports, the other end of said post having a reduced diameter along a portion of said post and rotatable within said support means at said reduced portion, said reduced section forming a shoulder adapted to bear against the support means to limit longitudinal movement between said post and said support means. 13. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in the engine above the oil level through which. crankcase fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening and the induction system of saidengine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduit means having a flexible tubular valve means therein,'said,valve means being normally closed in response to manifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through said conduit means into said induction system, the improvement comprising:

a one-way valve positioned in said conduit between said flexible valve means and said induction system and being operable to pass fluids from said valve into said induction system and adapted to close said conduit to the passage of fluids between said inductionsystem to saidvalvemeans.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said one-way valve is a swing check valve.

15. In a crankcase ventilating system for internal combustion engines having an opening in. the engine above the oil level through which blowby fluids can escape the engine and conduit means providing fluid communication between said opening'andthe induction system of 'said engine, said opening being subject to the crankcase pressure, said conduitmeans having a discontinuity therein with two open spaced apart conduit ends, and

- whereinr flexible tubular valve means normally closed in response to rnwifold vacuum and adapted to open in response to pressure. buildup inv said crankcase to pass blowby fluids through] said conduit means into said induction system is operably positioned between said conduit ends, the improvement comprising: i

a pair of support means afixed to said spaced apart conduit ends, a a rigid post extending between said support means, said support means being adapted for receiving said posts; at least one of said support means being longitudinally 'movable along said post whereby the longitudinal tension on'said tubular valve positioned between said supportmeans may be varied,-said supportmeans 7 support positioned between said inductionsystem and said tubular valve having valve means therein adapted to close said conduit against the passage of fluids from said induction system to said tubular valve. 1 1 16. A frame apparatus to support a flexible tubular avpair of support'means aflixed to spaced apart con:

duit ends,

combustion engine, said conduit having a discontinuity therein with two spaced apart conduit ends, comprising: support means afiixed to said spaced apart conduit ends and spring means positioned between said support means whereby to maintain said tubular valve in tension.

18. A frame apparatusto support to flexible tubular valve positioned in a conduit extending between the crankcase and the induction manifold of an internal combustion engine, said conduit having a discontinuity there- I in with two spaced apart conduit'ends, comprising:

support means aflixed to said spaced apart conduit ends, I

V a rigid post extending between said supporttrneans,

said support means being adapted for receiving said post,

said post being longitudinally slidable throughone of said support means and threadably engaged with the other of said support means, a

spring means around said post adapted to maintain a constant tension on said tubular valve, the longitudinal limit of said spring means beingvariable with said threadable post. V

19. A crankcase ventilating system for internal cornbustion engines, comprising in combination:

an opening in the crankcase above the oil level through which crankcase fluids can, escape the crankcase, an opening in the intake manifold,

conduit means connecting said crankcase opening with saidintake manifold opening, t i a flexible tubularvalve positioned in said conduit means and having the inner walls of saidtubular member preformed in a substantially closed, man- I ner along a'transverse portion of said tubular mem: her and having 'a capillary opening t-hrbughsaid closed portion, said tubular member being normally substantially closed in said preformed closed portion by intake manifoldvacuum, said tubular mem ber being adapted to open in response to crankcase pressure buildup in said crankcase to pass fluids through said .conduit'means into said intake mani.--

fold, said capillary opening being of a size to prevent the passage :of sufficient blowby fluids into the V crankcase manifold to result insubstantial power.

induction manifold-vacuum imposed on said crankcase through said tubular valves References Cited in' the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.077.871" Daigh Fes. 19,1963 7 

1. IN A CRANKCASE VENTILATING SYSTEM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES HAVING AN OPENING IN THE ENGINE ABOVE THE OIL LEVEL THROUGH WHICH BLOWBY FLUIDS CAN ESCAPE THE ENGINE AND CONDUIT MEANS PROVIDING FLUID COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID OPENING AND THE INDUCTION SYSTEM OF SAID ENGINE, SAID OPENING BEING SUBJECT OT THE CRANKCASE PRESSURE, SAID CONDUIT MEANS HAVING A DISCONTINUITY THEREIN WITH TWO OPEN SPACED APART CONDUIT ENDS, AND WHEREIN FLEXIBLE TUBULAR VALVE MEANS NORMALLY CLOSED IN RESPONSE TO MANIFOLD VACUUM AND ADAPTED TO OPEN IN RESPONSE TO PRESSURE BUILDUP IN SAID CRANKCASE TO PASS BLOWBY FLUIDS THROUGH SAID CONDUIT MEANS INTO SAID INDUCTION SYSTEM ARE OPERABLY POSITIONED BETWEEN SAID CONDUIT ENDS, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING; A FRAME APPARATUS FOR HOLDING SAID CONDUIT MEANS IN 